Man with suspended license caught on District Court security camera driving

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — On November 7, 2024, a Court Marshal observed a male individual at the District Court parking lot operating a vehicle while his driver’s license was suspended.

The defendant was arrested and charged with:

Count 1: Felony Driving, a class D felony punishable by imprisonment for not less than 90 days and not more than five years, a fine of $5,000.00, or both imprisonment and fine.

The defendant’s bail was set at $1,000.00.

According to the court affidavit, on Nov. 7th, at approximately 8:40 a.m., a Deputy Marshal monitoring the District Court security cameras observed the defendant,  Tavita Pula exiting from a truck at the driver’s side door.

While reviewing the security cameras, the defendant's vehicle was seen entering the District Court parking lot and parking. Shortly after, the Marshal checked with the District Court regarding the defendant’s court status.

According to the clerks and the Probation Officer, the records for the defendant’s driver’s license show it was suspended.

At about 7:30 a.m., on Nov. 8, 2024, the Marshal contacted the defendant about the said matter. The defendant was informed that a Warrant of Arrest had been issued for him and asked him to come into the District Court. The defendant stated that he would stop by the District Court and asked why he had to come in. The Marshal informed the defendant that he was observed operating a vehicle entering the District Court parking lot through the security cameras while his driver’s license was suspended.

The defendant verbally stated that the reason why he was driving on that day has to do with a matter regarding his son and he ended up driving to the District Court to drop off the certificate to the Probation Officer.

On the same date, the defendant arrived around 8:10 a.m. and was served the arrest warrant. He was then placed in the District Court holding cell awaiting his initial appearance at 1:00 p.m. in the District Court.

The video footage from the parking lot where the defendant was observed operating a vehicle was retrieved.

The defendant is identified as a 53-year-old U.S National.